Police will step up patrols on streets around Darent Valley Hospital on the hunt to punish bad drivers after a surge of complaints about inconsiderate parking.

Officers say people living near the hospital are becoming increasingly affected by poor parking by staff, patients, visitors and students but health bosses said there was no evidence of more complaints.

Under a new tough approach, motorists ruled to be parking dangerously or causing an obstruction face having their cars towed away if the owner is unable to be contacted.

PCSO Julia Lindon-Taylor said: “Local policing officers will be targeting their patrols in the area following a number of reports of dangerous parking.

“Motorists are reminded that it is an offence to leave their vehicle on a road where it causes an unnecessary obstruction and where it is dangerous.

“If we find a vehicle that is parked dangerously or causing an obstruction we will try to contact the owner in the first instance.

“However, if the owner is unobtainable and the vehicle is not moved, they risk having their vehicle towed away.”

The move comes two months after new parking charges were brought in at the hospital after an extra 101 spaces were created when private parking firm VINCI built a new pay and display.

The hikes were originally planned to be implemented in March but were suspended until after the election following outrage from politicians and people using the hospital.

From Monday, June 1, one and two-hour stays increased by an extra 50p to £1.50 and £2.50 while any stays longer than six hours rose from £5 to £10.

The charges sparked fears patients and visitors would look to leave their cars in streets to avoid paying with people living on Fleet Estate particularly worried.

But a hospital spokeswoman said use of the car parks remained high despite the increases.

She said: “Since the introduction of the new parking charges there has been an increase in the number of vehicles parking in the public car parks, however the noticeable difference is that the vehicles tend to stay for less time.

“The hospital has seen a significant reduction in the amount of traffic queuing since the introduction of the extra 101 spaces.”

The trust also confirmed it was supporting police action to tackle bad drivers.